Offense? It’s much ado about nothingAstros believe they have, or will have, what it takes

BRIAN MCTAGGART, Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle |
April 15, 2009

Too often, Astros hitters such as Ivan Rodriguez are leaving home plate empty-handed.

PITTSBURGH — Slow starts are nothing new to the Astros. They used historic second-half runs to make the playoffs in 2004 and 2005 and were nine games under .500 last July before rallying to win 86 games.

With that in mind, the Astros aren’t about to start panicking over their worst start (1-6) in 25 years. And they’re not going to shake up the roster despite being outscored 43-16 in seven games.

“We have to keep it all in perspective,” general manager Ed Wade said. “At the same time, I wish we could figure out a way to break this streak of slow starts. I don’t believe that’s a formula for success.

“It’s not like anybody’s accepting of the premise you can get off to slow starts and always fight your way back into things. But you have to recognize we have the next two games in Pittsburgh and go back for somewhat of an extended homestand and can get it straightened out.”

The Astros will send Mike Hampton to the mound tonight against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking to snap a five-game losing streak. They have scored once in their last 28 innings and have been shut out in consecutive games.

Astros manager Cecil Cooper has been visibly frustrated following lackluster performances at St. Louis on Sunday and Pittsburgh on Monday, and the players held a closed-door meeting following Monday’s game.

“Players have a lot of pride,” Wade said. “They want to excel and put their best foot forward. They don’t like going through this day in and day out. Spring training is one thing, and what we went through in spring training that got under people’s skin a little bit and we were focusing on preparing for the season.

“Once you get into the regular season, every game counts. I think it has a profound effect on individual players with regards to recognizing every game lost is a missed opportunity that you may regret at some point.”

Few leads to protect

The Astros ranked last in the majors in runs scored, RBIs and batting average with runners in scoring position (.171) entering Tuesday. They were 25th in batting average and hits, 26th in ERA and 29th in batting average against.

The Astros have led in only two innings so far and are the only team in the majors that has yet to score a run in the first or second innings.

“Veteran players have a way of doing what they do, and you have to wait until they figure out and find it,” Cooper said. “In the meantime, we keep struggling.”

“It can always get worse, but the résumés that guys on this team have suggest it will get better,” Berkman said. “We believe we’re going to be a good offensive ballclub at some point, and certainly myself and Carlos have to take the majority of the responsibility.

“Neither one of us has swung the bat particularly well in the early going, and that’s a big reason why we’ve struggled. When you’re three, four guys (in the lineup) are not getting on base and you’re not creating opportunities, it’s tough on the rest of the lineup. At some point, I expect not to be an albatross in the middle of the lineup and be productive.”

Shades of 2008

Wade admitted the offensive struggles have been surprising, but he’s banking on the track records of his marquee players.

“I can think of three or four times during the 2008 season we had the same conversation about the lack of offense and how it puts pressure on everyone to carry the load,” he said. “But the bottom line is I know this team’s going to score runs and play good defense.”